Back Up Paddles? Hydration? How do you guys do it?

[paddlesurf.net]

Howdy Zoners-

I just did the longest run I've ever done- probably about ten miles round trip. The run was through an area where there's a point of no return. As I was out there cruising along I was thinking about how lame it'd be if my paddle snapped at the blade leaving me with nothing to paddle with. I know I could lay down paddle but we're talking four miles of laydown; do-able but it'd be a real downer.

So for you guys who do longer runs I've got a couple of questions:

1. Do you pack a back up paddle? If so, how have you done it? I've considered a two piece paddle in a back pack, what do you do?

2. I'm assuming for hydration you go with a Camel-back - am I correct here?

3. Any other good tips for guys like me who are just getting into these type of two car surf cruises (have scoped out a bunch of good ones out there too!)?

Thanks,

John

[KaiDogg]

A Camelback would probably be a good idea; I remember seeing some footage of SUP racers using them. 

I haven't done any epic distances myself, but I paddled in Waikiki yesterday about 4 miles round trip, stopping to surf in between and this morning, I paddled about 5 miles up and down along the beach in Kailua Bay, catching some anke-snappers in the shorebreak and out at Flat Island.  Being out on the water for 2.5-3 hours a session is leaving me a little dehydrated, so I'm contemplating on carrying some water or energy drink in a holster-type waist pack, the kind that runners use.

Seems as though carrying an extra paddle would prove more problematic; I haven't been too far out or too far along that if worse came to worse, I could prone paddle back, or hit the shore and hoof it.  Hope you find a solution!

[paddlesurf.net]

Guess the solution is don't go anywhere you're not prepared to paddle back from!

[KaiDogg]

Guess the solution is don't go anywhere you're not prepared to paddle back from!

Just thinking...  If you're doing your distance paddling on a board w/some length, perhaps some sort of bungee system could be rigged up on the nose.  If you can find those stick-on leash plugs, perhaps they can be mounted at four points, run the bungee in an "X" pattern, and your spare 2pc. paddle can be secured to that.  You can cut open a tennis ball and use that to cap the open ends of the paddle to keep them from banging around on your board.

A little time and a few bucks should yield some kind of stowing system.  Then again, a lot of the newer Camelbak models come equipped with a way to stow gear as well, so you may very well have a way to hump your spare 2pc. paddle along with your hydration.  Again, just thinking...

[river]

Surco makes adhesive paddle leash tie downs you could mount those with a bungee web system to hold the paddle up on the nose.  I have used a Dakine hydration pack and the smallest Camel Back they make.  They work great.  I use the larger Dakine one if I want to pack lunch, a cell phone, and a camera

[RUSS-D]

I tried using the Surfco stick on leash things, and one popped off. All the others are holding like champs. Worst part is, I re-stuck it 2 more times, and it still popped off. I use a bungee cord, and just wrap it around the nose of my board. Then I stick a bottle of water, and Gatorade or something inder it, and take off. I don't thin it causes a lot of drag, I have heard some people talk about doing that and it causing drag. I guess if your racing it would matter, but just cruising I am not worrying about it.
 I have thought about carrying an extra paddle on long runs. I did 11 miles recently, and then 2 days later broke my paddle while surfing. Made me think the same thing as you, as my 11 miler had a bit of a "point of no return" to it also. But I was also with 3 other SUP'rs, and could have had one of them go get me a paddle, or just flagged a boat down for a ride back to the Beach. We where near a pretty bust boating channel, out by the Skyway Bridge.

[river]

Yea the Surfco Stickies work great but it has to be flat and super duper clean.  Acetone is the ticket for cleaning epoxy boards IMO.

[paddlesurf.net]

Maybe a two piece paddle bungeed down too?

[mokulele]

   A regular outrigger canoe paddle could also serve as a backup paddle.  It wouldn't be as expensive as a two-piece carbon fiber paddle.  I've been knee paddling my boards with a 52 inch out rigger paddle and it works great.  It's also long enough that if I stand in a crouching position I can still reach the water and paddle.  Still have to figure out how to strap it to the nose or to your back. 
  I've also used the Camelback runners waistpack hydration system to carry water and a feel small items.
Dal

[Dwight (DW)]

Why can't your arms serve as your back up paddle? I think I could paddle far and fast paddling on my knees. My back would probably be sore the next morning, but I'm sure I could reach home if forced to.

[paddlesurf.net]

Yep- arms would work- six miles of prone and knee paddling though at the point of no return- I haven't been doing many of those lately so I'm sure I'd be halfway dead by the time I got in. Good thing I've got knuckles that scrape the floor.

[Lightning Bolt Maui]

When I standup paddled around the island of Manhattan last summer to raise money for Autism. Myself and most of the guys wore camel back hydrations systems. It works great. If you freeze or half way freeze the water before hand it keeps you back very cool as it thaws out. It was 28 miles and i only had one paddle as did everyone one else. We were escorted so if the paddle broke we had help. But even on our 9 mile downwind runs we regularly do here in Maui i have never taken a back up paddle. Although when i did one of the races i noticed a guy who had a shorter paddle strapped to the deck of his board. He used it when the wind was in his face and it helped him when we were all struggling with the wind.